Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

Yi Yang stood in the courtyard, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure in front of him.

A moon-white long dress, black hair adorned with a jade hairpin, and light amber eyes that still held that clear-eyed quality of "nothing can be hidden from me".

"Chief Inspector Yan."

Yi Yang stood up and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

Upon hearing the words "Chief Inspector Yan," Yan Wuyuan lazily lifted his eyelids and a half-smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

She walked to the table, but instead of sitting down, she leaned casually against the edge of the rosewood table, her posture completely out of place with the strict rules of the Marquis's residence. She said, "What's wrong? It's been more than half a year since we last met, and Lord Yi has become so distant?"

"Lord Yan is too kind."

I was being very serious.

She looked at Yi Yang, her light amber eyes holding a hint of amusement.

"When I left Suining Prefecture, you were an old man with half-black and half-white hair. Now, your hair is completely black, and your face looks much younger. If it weren't for the fact that your aura is still the same familiar person, I would almost think I had mistaken you for someone else."

Yi Yang sat back down in his chair, picked up his teacup, and said casually, "My cultivation has improved somewhat, and my appearance has changed a bit."

"Can a little progress make you look forty years old?"

"Didn't Lord Yan also advance from the late True Qi Realm to the Profound Realm?"

The teacup paused at her lips, and Yan Wuyuan's expression faltered for a moment.

Yi Yang took a sip of tea and continued, "When I left Qingzhou, you were still in the late stage of the True Qi Realm. Now you have fully realized your true self and reached the Profound Realm, crossing the threshold between True Qi and Profound Realm. Judging from your aura, you have been in this breakthrough for some time now."

After these words were spoken, Yan Wuyuan lowered her hand that was supporting her chin.

She stared at Yi Yang for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear eyes as she said:

"You noticed?"

Yi Yang smiled but didn't say anything.

Yan Wuyuan put down her teacup, the languor on her face fading, replaced by a complex sense of helplessness.

She leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh; her usual air of ease and confidence had vanished completely.

"Being in this place, my strength... I have no choice but to improve."

The bitterness in his words seemed genuine.

Yi Yang did not respond.

He had already witnessed the profound resources of the Qingyu Marquis's mansion.

Precious medicines are readily available, guarded by True Qi Realm experts, and overseen by Profound Realm masters. To be the fifth young lady in such a family, one's status is noble enough, but the pressure is also considerable.

Yan Wuyuan's ability to reach the Tongxuan realm in just a few months was by no means solely due to resources.

She probably didn't have an easy time at the Qingyu Marquis's residence.

"I came home and found more things than I expected." Yan Wuyuan picked up the teapot and poured herself half a cup of tea. "Originally, all parties were still arguing over the border trade, and no one was willing to give in. But unexpectedly, things have been resolved so quickly. The Trade Office has been established, and the three important towns will be officially put into use."

She held her teacup, not in a hurry to drink.

"The Marquis of Qingyu's mansion commands the army, and several elders in the family want to establish their influence in the three towns. The Sky Patrol Bureau, the Trade Bureau, and the Wu Kingdom's delegation—none of them can be slighted. If any arrangement is not made properly, someone will bring up the family's interests."

"You're the fifth young lady, why are you getting involved in these things?"

"If I don't participate, others will arrange it for me."

Yan Wuyuan put down her teacup and tapped her knuckles twice on the table.

"The daughter of the Marquis of Qingyu enjoys the family's resources, but she should also bear the family's responsibilities. There is no reason for her to just take the benefits without doing any work."

She spoke casually, but Yi Yang sensed the weight in her voice.

When Yan Wuyuan was in Suining Prefecture, she could lean back in her chair while handling files and casually arrange a few assassinations. Even in Qingzhou, she remained as lazy as ever, though the burdens she carried had shifted.

"Where's Yuexin? Has she arrived?" Yi Yang asked.

Mentioning Jiang Yuexin, Yan Wuyuan's expression relaxed a little, and she said with a smile:

"She's currently cultivating at home; she said she needs to hurry so she can help you."

"Her strength has already broken through to the third level of internal energy. She is truly a hardworking young girl."

Upon hearing this, Yi Yang paused in his tea-serving gesture.

Three months ago, Jiang Yuexin had just broken through to the first level of internal energy. Now she has reached the third level.

With his martial arts talent, the Xuan Tian Dao Heart Book, and the resources of the Qingyu Marquis's Mansion, this progress is not surprising, but it definitely involved a lot of hard work.

Seeing his pensive expression, Yan Wuyuan asked, "Should we see her now?"

Yi Yang remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and refused.

"Let's get down to business first."

Yan Wuyuan raised her eyebrows.

"Your granddaughter is right here in the manor, yet instead of visiting her, you're discussing official business with me. Lord Yi, you're not acting as a proper grandfather."

"I feel at ease with her here with you."

"You trust me that much?"

"If you really wanted to harm her, you would have done it long ago. Why bother bringing her into the Qingyu Marquis's residence and personally teaching her martial arts?"

Yan Wuyuan stared at him for a while, then suddenly reached out and picked up a teacup, covering half of her face.

"That sounds alright."

"Lord Yan invited me here, surely not just for a cup of tea."

"You're such a boring person."

"I'm over sixty; having fun doesn't put food on the table."

"OK."

Upon hearing the words "serious business," Yan Wuyuan's smile vanished completely.

She sat up straight again, her languid and carefree demeanor vanished, replaced by the sharp insight into people that belonged to the Deputy Chief Inspector of Youquan Division.

"Since you brought it up yourself, you must have guessed what it is about?"

"Is it related to the arrangements for the three major towns?" Yi Yang asked.

"Since you guessed that my invitation to come here is related to the three important towns, then there's no need to beat around the bush."

"Has the appointment been approved?"

"clever."

Yan Wuyuan took out a scroll of documents sealed with sealing wax from her sleeve and pushed it in front of Yi Yang.

The document was sealed with the dark gold seal of the Qingzhou Astronomical Bureau, and the cover was inscribed with the joint signatures of the Commerce Bureau and the Astronomical Bureau.

Yi Yang broke the seal and unfolded the document.

The above content is not complicated.

Yi Yang, the commander of the Suining Prefecture's Heavenly Patrol Office, was transferred to the Preparatory Office of the Commerce and Trade Department and appointed as the deputy chief inspector of Hengyue, an important town, to assist in military and political affairs and to be under the control of the patrol envoy.

The position was not promoted.

After reading it, Yi Yang put the document back on the table.

Yan Wuyuan looked at him and asked, "I made you come all the way from Suining Prefecture, and all you got was a lateral transfer. You don't blame me?"

Yi Yang put the scroll back on the table and smiled.

"I believe Lord Yan would not harm me."

"If you really wanted me to move to a lower position to retire, why go through all this trouble to bring me up from Suining Prefecture?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Wuyuan couldn't help but smile, and the smile in her eyes became more genuine. "You do see things clearly."

She leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"I put in some effort to arrange your transfer to Hengyue, a key town, through the Qingzhou Sky Patrol Office."

Why?

"Because of the three major towns, only that one is the most suitable for you."

"The important town of Xuanming is under the control of the Commerce Bureau."

Yan Wuyuan held up one finger and explained:

"Xuanming Town is the territory of the Imperial City Trade Bureau. Those who go there are all officials from the capital, each one arrogant and looking down on us people from the countryside. If you go there, you'll only be ostracized."

She held up her second finger.

"The Demon City may seem like the most powerful local force in Qingzhou, but the waters inside are much muddier. The Sky Patrol Bureau, the two major sects, and the four major families have all planted their people there. They're all deeply entrenched and everyone wants to be in charge. As an outsider with no connections, you're caught in the middle and won't be liked by either side."

Yi Yang listened silently; these circumstances were basically consistent with what he had learned before.

"Only Hengyue Town," Yan Wuyuan said, her tone becoming more serious. "That place is where the Commerce Bureau, Qingzhou, and the Southern Frontier Witch Kingdom are vying for power."

"The three parties are mutually restraining each other, and none of them can suppress the others, so that place is the most chaotic."

She looked at Yi Yang and said, word by word, "But it is precisely because of the chaos that there are the most opportunities."

Yi Yang understood.

A pool of clear water cannot raise big fish.

The more chaotic a place is, the easier it is to take advantage of the situation and seize resources.

Yan Wuyuan's eyes showed a hint of approval.

"What's the specific situation in Hengyue Town?" Yi Yang asked the question that concerned him most.

Upon hearing this question, Yan Wuyuan put down her teacup and said in a somber tone:

"This time, twelve experts at the Tongxuan Realm will be stationed in Hengyue, a crucial town."

Yi Yang's eyes narrowed slightly.

Twelve Profound Realm experts. This number is more than enough to suppress all the prefectures and cities within Qingzhou.

"Five of them have already condensed their Dharma bodies."

Fearing that Yi Yang might not understand what a powerful being with a Dharma Body was, Yan Wuyuan gave a simple explanation of the five levels of the "Profound Realm".

"The first stage of the Profound Realm, the Awakening of Profound. This signifies that the martial artist's Profound Light Seed has been initially formed, and their True Qi already possesses profound power."

"The second stage, Manifestation. The Seed of Profound Light begins to take shape, and the Dharma Body gains an outline."

"The third realm is the Dharma Body. The Seed of Profound Light is fully formed, and the Dharma Body can fight outside the body. This level is where the true main force of the major powers lies."

"The fourth realm, Returning to the Profound. The Dharma Body returns to itself, and every gesture carries the power of the Dharma Body."

"The fifth realm is the Transformation of the Profound. The physical body is the Dharma body, and the form and spirit are united."

"The five realms of Profound Understanding are: Enlightenment, Manifestation, Dharma Body, Return to Profound Understanding, and Transformation into Profound Understanding. The condensation of the Dharma Body is the third realm, a significant dividing line. Only upon reaching this realm will the Seed of Profound Light undergo a complete transformation, descent into a full Dharma Body. Only then can one be considered a true Profound Understanding expert, the main force dispatched by various powers to guard their respective regions."

Yi Yang nodded, indicating that he understood.

Yan Wuyuan continued, "Of course, these five are not the most troublesome."

"The highest-ranking official in Hengyue Town this time is the Deputy Inspector, an old fellow named Jiang Zhongtian."

Yi Yang had already heard Lu Quan'an mention this name.

Yan Wuyuan continued, "He is the deputy inspector and the highest-ranking officer of Hengyue Town, and his strength is at the peak of the Tongxuan Realm."

"The fifth realm of Profound Understanding?"

"right."

She leaned back in her chair, her fingers resting on the armrest. "But that's not the most troublesome part for him."

Yan Wuyuan's tone became serious. "The most troublesome person is this one, who is ranked 278th on the Great Yu's 'Hidden Dragon List'."

Yi Yang's pupils contracted slightly.

The Hidden Dragon List.

The list that Lu Quan'an mentioned, which gathers the top experts in the Tongxuan Realm of the entire Dayu Dynasty.

Having reached the pinnacle of the Profound Realm, he has already stood at the pinnacle of martial arts in the Great Yu Dynasty.

Being able to enter the Hidden Dragon Ranking means that there are even stronger achievements and potential among those in the same realm.

"Jiang Zhongtian has been famous for a century, but his cultivation techniques, Dharma body, and battle record are all unknown. Some say he once killed a Tongxuan Realm demon alone in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, while others say he once escaped alive from the hands of a Grandmaster."

Is the news reliable?

"Eight out of ten reports about Qingzhou City are embellished, but based on the information I have, there is some truth to it. For example, they killed a powerful demon of the same level. As for whether they escaped from the hands of a grandmaster, that remains to be seen."

After learning the information, Yi Yang picked up the appointment document and read it again.

Hengyue is an important town.

Twelve profound insights, five Dharma bodies, Jiang Zhongtian.

pressure.

Unprecedented pressure, like an invisible mountain, weighed on his heart.

Yi Yang raised his head, looked directly at Yan Wuyuan, and asked, "What does Lord Yan need me to do?"

Since the other party has already paved the way, there must be things he needs to do.

"clever."

Yan Wuyuan gave him an approving look. "Right now, there is indeed something that needs your attention."

"What is it?"

Yan Wuyuan did not answer directly.

She stood up, walked to the edge of the courtyard, and looked at the lush and ancient Xuan Yuan tree outside the courtyard.

"After you leave the Marquis's residence, you don't need to do anything. Just go straight back to your residence at the Sky Patrol Division."

Her voice drifted in on the wind.

"If a carriage stops beside you on the road..."

"Don't ask anything, just go up there."

"The people on the bus will tell you what to do."

Yi Yang frowned.

So mysterious?

He wanted to ask again, but Yan Wuyuan had already turned around and waved to him.

"Alright, that's enough for today."

"I'm tired."

Yi Yang stood up and looked at her, who had returned to her languid state, knowing that he wouldn't get any more information from her.

He tucked the rolled-up letter of appointment into his pocket and bowed deeply.

"Then, I'll take my leave."

He turned and left the quiet, secluded courtyard.

Walking along the road he had come from, Yi Yang's mind was filled with questions.

A carriage? Who's in it? What's going on that requires this kind of rendezvous?

Filled with doubt, he walked out of the luxurious, heavenly-like Qingyu Marquis's mansion.

Yi Yang walked out of the Qingyu Marquis's residence.

People come and go on the streets far from the core area of ​​Qingzhou City.

Yi Yang had just left the Qingyu Marquis's residence less than half an incense stick's time ago.

A carriage slowly approached from behind him and stopped beside him.